Key takeaways
11 min read
- Make sure you're ready to own, not just ready to afford.
- Write down must-haves vs. nice-to-haves before you tour anything.
- Walk the neighborhood at different times and check hazard maps.
- Send listings to TurboHome for a valuation report, and book unlimited private tours.
In this chapter
1Make sure you're ready to own
Being able to afford a home and being ready to own one are two different things.
Buying and selling both cost money, so owning tends to make the most sense when you expect to stay several years. A common rule of thumb is five or more.
Tap the ones that are true for you
0/5
Tap each one that fits to see where you stand.
2Split must-haves from nice-to-haves
You've probably pictured this home for years. Wraparound porch, window seat, fruit trees out back. A real search brings that picture back to earth fast, so decide what matters before you fall for a kitchen.
Must-haves
Bedrooms and bathrooms you need now
Commute or school boundaries
A home office or step-free entry
Parking you can't live without
Nice-to-haves
Updated kitchen
A pool or a big yard
A view
Finishes you can change later
Choose the right type of home
Single-family
Most space and privacy; you control the property
Highest upkeep; usually the highest price
Condo
Lower price point; exterior upkeep handled
HOA dues and rules; shared walls
Townhome
More space than most condos; small yard
HOA dues; neighbors on one or both sides
Multi-unit
Rental income can help with the mortgage
You become a landlord; financing can be stricter
Paint, light fixtures, and counters are easy to change. Layout, light, location, and lot size are not.
Research the neighborhood in person
You can renovate a house, but you can't move it.
Walk the neighborhood on a weekday evening and a weekend morning. You'll learn more in 30 minutes on foot than in hours of scrolling.
Questions to answer before you offer
The commute
How long is it at rush hour? Try it once. How is transit and bike access if you'd rather not drive?
Daily errands
Where are the nearest parks, groceries, pharmacies, cafes, and gyms?
Schools
What are the local schools like? Check boundaries, not just distance.
Safety
How serious is crime? Look at local police data and community forums.
The home itself
Is it in a flood zone or fire hazard area?
4Search smarter, not longer
Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, and Realtor.com mostly pull from the same MLS data. Pick one or two, set alerts for your price range, size, and neighborhoods, and let new listings come to you.
How a listing moves
On the market and accepting offers.
An offer was accepted, but conditions like inspection or financing remain.
Conditions are mostly cleared and the sale is moving toward closing.
The sale has closed, and the price becomes a comp for nearby homes.
Other listing terms worth knowing
- Days on market
- How long the home has been listed; long stays can mean room to negotiate.
- Price reduced
- The seller dropped the price; ask why.
- As-is
- The seller won't make repairs; inspections still matter.
Send us anything that catches your eye
Submit a property in the TurboHome app and we'll prepare a valuation report with nearby comparable sales. When disclosures are available, we'll add a disclosure analysis that sorts major issues from minor ones.
Spotted a listing you love? Send it to your team.
Tour homes like an inspector
All TurboHome clients get unlimited private tours at no additional cost.
Open houses are a great start, and private tours let you take your time.
Open house
- No scheduling needed
- Busy, with less time to look closely
- Good for gauging buyer interest
Private tour
- On your schedule
- Time to check details and ask questions
- Request it in the TurboHome app
What to look for on every tour
Water stains
On ceilings, under sinks, and around windows.
Structure
Cracks in the foundation, doors that stick, or sloping floors.
System ages
The roof, water heater, and heating and cooling systems.
Electrical
The electrical panel and the number of outlets.
Water pressure
Run the showers and sinks.
Smells
Musty smells, fresh paint in odd spots, or heavy air fresheners.
How to request a private tour
- 1
Send the address
Share the listing in the TurboHome app or with your agent.
- 2
Pick a date and time
Tell us when you'd like to see it.
- 3
Add a backup window
A second option makes scheduling faster.
All tour requests need approval from the seller's listing agent. We'll do our best to honor same-day requests and keep you updated.
Ready to see it in person?
Request a private tour in the app, or call your agent to set it up.
6Keep score so you can decide fast
After a handful of tours, homes start to blur together. Take photos and short notes at every showing, including the street out front and the view from the main windows.
A simple scorecard
| Home | Bedrooms | Commute | Schools | Parking | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Townhome on Elm St | 4/4 | ||||
| Condo on 3rd Ave | 3/4 | ||||
| House on Oak Ct | 2/4 |
Example homes. Swap in your own must-haves as the columns.
Score each home
Check it against your must-haves right after the tour.
Rank your top three
Note what would make you walk away from each.
Ask for a valuation report
Get one on your favorite before you start thinking about price.
Good homes can sell in days. When you've already done the homework, you can make a confident offer while other buyers are still thinking.
Common questions
How many homes should I tour before making an offer?
There's no right number. Once a home meets your must-haves and the valuation makes sense, it's worth considering an offer.
Do private tours cost extra with TurboHome?
No. All TurboHome clients get unlimited private tours at no additional cost. Each request needs approval from the seller's listing agent.
Should I go to open houses without an agent?
You can. Just know you'll need a signed buyer agreement before an agent can tour MLS listings with you privately or write an offer.
What is a valuation report?
It's TurboHome's analysis of what a home is likely worth, based on comparable nearby sales. Submit a property in the app to get one.